Consumer Guide / No.138 /ย Ivor Novello Award-winning writer, drummer & producer, Cassell The BeatMaker with Mark Watkins.
MW: What were you like as a teenager, and what were your main interests growing up?
CTB: As a teenager, I was completely consumed by music and driven to become the best drummer I could be. My music genre explored a wide range of styles, from hip-hop, r&b, reggae, dance, calypso, rock, jazz, classical, latin, and fusion. You name it, I listened to it. Outside of music, I also appeared in a few TV commercials but my true love always came back to music. The majority of my time was spent either practising the drums, rehearsing, or jamming with friends. This led to performing live shows and ultimately sparked my interest in music production and songwriting.
MW: In what ways did The Prince's Trust help you?
CTB: The Prince's Trust provided me with a part loan / grant to set up my first small production / recording studio. They helped guide and support me at a crucial point in my career. They helped develop the skills I needed to turn my passion for music into a sustainable career. They gave me the opportunity to connect with mentors and most importantly, believe in myself when things got tough. This kind of support made a real difference in helping me progress in my early stages of my career in music.
The King's Trust | Confidence, courses, careers (formerly The Prince's Trust)
MW: Why are you called โBeatMakerโ?
CTB: The name โBeatMakerโ reflects my core passion and role in music production. Iโve always been someone who focuses heavily on creating beats and shaping the foundational rhythms of a track. For me, itโs about bringing those beats to life and making sure they speak to the energy and vibe of the song. It's not just about the technical side but about creating something that resonates with people. I wanted my name to reflect the central role that rhythm plays in my music.
MW: What specific skills and experience have you been able to bring to (your) music production?
CTB: My skills as a drummer have been crucial in shaping my music production. I have an innate understanding of rhythm, which I apply to creating grooves that drive the energy of a track. Over the years, my ability to work with other musicians and songwriters is an important asset to producing a diverse range of music. My experience as a songwriter also informs how I approach production, allowing me to make sure the musical arrangement complements the lyrics and overall vibe of a song. Iโm constantly learning, but these skills have been a huge asset in my production work.
MW: Likewise, your mentoring?
CTB: Mentoring is something I take very seriously because I believe in sharing my knowledge as a musician especially if it helps someone jump some of the hurdles I faced. Iโve been fortunate to experience a successful career over the years, and now I make it a point to help up-and-coming talent with their own journeys. I am all for encouraging mentees to find their own voice and stay true to their artistry. Itโs not just about teaching technical skills but also about helping others understand the industry and how to stay focused on long-term goals.
MW: How exactly do In The Making deliver holistic / professional support to people? Success stories?
CTB: In The Making is all about providing well-rounded, professional support to emerging artists and giving them a safe space to be creative. We offer mentorship, creative guidance, access to industry knowledge, and studio space to develop their music and vision as evolving artists. We help them get a greater understanding of the music industry.
Our success stories include singers who came to us with raw talent but no direction. Through consistent support, they were able to develop their skills and build their portfolio. They have gone on to perform as support acts for major artists, as well as putting their own mini-tour together, whilst staying consistent in releasing new music. Itโs all about giving support in as many aspects of an artistโs career. Nurturing them from the creativity stage to the practical steps of building and developing a sustainable career.
MW: Youโve performed at Camden's famous live music venue - Dingwalls, so what was that like?
CTB: One of my early performances was at Dingwalls with one of the first bands I was in, called Quite Sane. It marked a significant turning point in the early stages of my career. However, my most memorable gig was when I performed at Glastonbury Festival on the main stage with Plan B. Immediately after, I headed to the John Peel Tent to perform with Mike Skinner & The Streets. Both performances were incredibly high-energy, and the crowd was electrifying. It was one unforgettable moment when everything clicked. It confirmed that all the hard work and countless hours of practice had paid off, placing me exactly where I had always dreamed of being.
MW: Next, the UK No.1 album, The Defamation Of Strickland Banks by Plan Bโฆ tell me about your involvementโฆ
CTB: Being involved in The Defamation Of Strickland Banks was a huge highlight for me. I worked on the album, lending my skills to the songs. The album was a creative turning point, blending genres of hip- hop and Motown with brilliant storytelling from Ben Drew (Plan B) that resonated with a wide audience. Working with Ben was great because he has such a unique vision and approach to music. It was a project that allowed me to push my own boundaries as a musician and contribute to something that became both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
MW: How do you feel about your awards? Are they on display at home? In fact, do you keep memorabilia of your music career?
CTB: Iโm incredibly proud of my achievements, particularly receiving the Ivor Novello Award. At the time, I didnโt fully realise how impactful it would be for my career, but it has truly been life-changing. It stands as a recognition of years of hard work and dedication, and it means the world to me.ย
One of my most proudest memories is receiving my first record plaque for album sales of The Defamation of Stricken Banks. I gave it to my mum, as it was her continued support and encouragement that helped me reach these special achievements.
I also have a picture frame filled with show and festival stage passes, which my son thoughtfully put together and gifted me for my birthday. Along with my other plaques and awards, these special mementos proudly hang on the wall or have a space in my studio, serving as constant reminders of my journey and the people who have supported me along the way.
Another one of my proudest moments was when I got to work with the late, legendary, Jeff Beck. I co-wrote, co-produced and played drums on 2 tracks that he released on an EP in Japan entitled Yosลgai.
MW: Name your Top 5 favourite โrappersโ, past and / or present, and give the reasons why you rate each one so highlyโฆ
CTB:
Nas โ The storytelling on Illmatic is just unparalleled. His ability to paint vivid pictures and speak on societal issues is incredible.
Kendrick Lamar โ Heโs a modern-day poet. To Pimp a Butterfly is a masterpiece, and his lyricism is top-notch.
Redman โ His career trajectory and ability to innovate with every album is something I really respect. Malpractice still resonates and is one of my favourites.
Mike Skinner โ Is a poet / rapper. Pirate Material is iconic, and his flow is unmatched and unique.
Akala โ His complex, clever wordplay and intelligent subject matter are admirable. 10 Years Of Akala is a classic.
MW: What newspapers / magazines, if any, do you usually read and what columnists, features, and content are the "go to" parts of your reads? (Why?)
CTB: I was obsessed with reading Drummer Magazine and Rhythm Magazine. They kept me up-to-date on the latest gear and trends but also provided great interviews and techniques from some of the worldโs most renowned drummers. They gave me inspiration and motivation that fuelled my passion for drumming and helped me grow as a musician.
I dreamed of one day being featured in them and that dream became a reality. I had the honour of gracing the front cover of Drummer Magazine and was later featured in an incredible interview in Rhythm Magazine. This was followed by a six-page spread, which I shared with my son when he played Freddy the drummer in the School of Rock, headed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
MW: Why is branding so important?
CTB: Having a brand is crucial in todayโs music industry. Itโs not just about the music anymore; itโs about creating a persona and building a connection with your audience. Your brand tells people who you are and what you stand for, and it allows you to stand out in a crowded market. Whether itโs through your music, your visuals, or your social media presence, your brand becomes an extension of you as an artist.
MW: Now clothing. What's your favourite "kit"? So formal and informal dress style (brands, colours)...
CTB: Iโm all about comfort. I am drawn to a good hoodie or a t-shirt, paired with some cool trainers or shoes, think brands like ITM, Billionaire Boys Club, or even vintage finds. When Iโm dressing up for a formal event, I like suits with a modern twist. A lot of my suits come from brands like Reiss, Moss London, Armani or Ted Baker. I love clean lines and a strong colour paletteโblack, navy, white and even deep greens are colours I gravitate toward.
MW: As youโve grown, aged, experienced life, what particular aspect/s of your teenage self remain? Regrets?
CTB: The drive I had as a teenager, my obsession with music and my need to create is still very much alive in me. But I think Iโve gained a lot more perspective and calm as Iโve grown. I was very impulsive when I was younger, but now I take a bit more time to think through decisions and be more strategic. I donโt regret the impulsive nature of my younger self, though. It taught me to take risks, and without that, I wouldnโt be where I am now.
MW: What new projects are you working on? Plans for the rest of 2025?
CTB: Iโm all about meeting new talent to create and mix different music genres: Cassellbeats (@cassellbeatsofficial) โข Instagram photos and videos
Supporting my kids with their music careers is high on the list: HALLE CASZ (@hallecasz) โข Instagram photos and & KAI-RICHIE (@1kairichie) โข Instagram photos and videos and Cassellbeats (@cassellbeatsofficial) โข Instagram photos and videos
Trying to make more time to practise the drums, and continuing to tour with The Streets.
In addition, I make an effort to learn and explore the many features of Studio One, the DAWย (Digital Audio Workstation)ย I use for production, alongside other software tools that I use.
Another big passion is developingย In The Makingย (ITM), a CICย (Community Industry Company)ย I founded that runs artist development programs. As ITM is funding dependent, we constantly seek new partners, sponsors, and organisations that share our vision to support underrepresented groups and creators who face significant barriers to entering the music industry.
Instagram: @cassellthebeatmaker
Twitter: @thebeatmakerย
Tik Tok: Cassellthebeatmaker (@cassellthebeatmaker) | TikTok
In The Making Link Tree : https://linktr.ee/inthemakingpresents?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=f3aebb15-2c54-4fbc-bddc-f76f4d029eb5
Photo credits: thanks to Richard Woodburn for use of various photos of Cassell in respect of this Q & A feature.
(c) Mark Watkins / March 2025
A Huge Thank You to Mark Watkins for the Interview!